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Smallpox Cures Information

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, the United States stopped giving regular smallpox vaccinations in 1972 when smallpox was no longer a danger. While there is no cure for smallpox, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States government secured enough vaccinations for every person in the United States in case of a bioterrorist attack.

  1. Smallpox

    • Smallpox is a variola virus that is contagious and can be fatal. Smallpox outbreaks have occurred in the past but have been controlled with vaccination programs the government has in place. Smallpox is spread by coming into contact with infected bodily fluid. Bedding and clothing can become contaminated if used by an infected person. The variola virus is only found within the human body. Animals and insects are not carriers. The incubation from infection to symptoms is seven to 14 days. People are not contagious during this time.

    Symptoms

    • High fever, between 101 and 104 degrees, is usually the first symptom of smallpox. This phase lasts two to four days. At this time, the person may be contagious. Small red spots will form on the tongue and mouth which turn into soars that open and spreads the virus. The person is most contagious at this point. The rash will spread on the skin, usually beginning on the face. The rash turn into bumps that fill with fluid. This phase lasts about four days. Around day five, the bumps will become pustules. The pustules will start to scab over. It normally takes three weeks for all the sores to scab over and the scabs to fall off. A person is contagious until the last scab falls off.

    Death

    • According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, most people recover from smallpox, but are left with permanent scarring on their body. Up to 30 percent of people do die from the smallpox virus.

    Vaccination

    • The vaccine for smallpox does not have the smallpox virus in it. It contains a virus called vaccinia that is related to smallpox. Unlike most vaccinations given within the United States, the smallpox vaccination is a live vaccine, which means it contains a live virus. The vaccination will help protect from the smallpox virus for three to five years.

    Vaccination Procedure

    • A two-pronged needle is dipped in a vaccine solution. The doctor will prick the skin on the upper arm several times. If the vaccination worked, three or four days later a red, itchy bump will form. As the week progresses, the bump will blister and fill with pus then drain. A scab will form after the blister dries up. During the third week, the scab will fall off. A small scar will be left behind.

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